Although convenient and portable in its use, the scrunchie has been a hair accessory that has seen both the highs-being a popular hair accessory of the 1980’s and early ‘90s-and the lows-as a fashion no-no; women either love it or hate it. But even with its tentative status as a worthy competitor reaching for hair accessory greatness, the scrunchie, although harshly scrutinized at times, still remains in the fashion spotlight.

From rubber-band to elastic band

The scrunchie was invented by Philip E. Meyers for a family bearing the name “Scrunci” in 1963, but Rommy Revson patented the infamous design in 1994.

Before the scrunchie was created, women would put their long hair up in a pony-tail with a rubber-band; an item in which the hair would get tangled in and would sometimes have to be removed with scissors, leaving women’s scalps sore and with a few less hair-strands in place. But when the scrunchie entered the scene, the old rubber-band was replaced with a comfortable and user-friendly circular elastic band that was covered with both simple and elaborate fabrics.

Scrunchie: simple style with a formal flair

The quintessential scrunchie is known for its poufy style and simplicity, but it also comes in a variety of unique designs, colors, sizes, as well as fabrics ranging from simple cotton and rayon, to more ornate fabrics such as leather, suede, fur, and silk. For more formal and fashionable wear, scrunchies can be found decorated with intricate beading, glitter, and crystals.

Not only does the scrunchie come in a variety of styles, but it also has multiple uses besides its most popular one; that of the pony-tail. The scrunchie can also be used to keep a fancy hair-bun in place and can even be worn as a bracelet at times (just for fun).

Celebrities sporting the infamous scrunchie

Even with their tentative fashion standing scrunchies have also been spotted keeping Mary-Kate Olsen’s and Sienna Miller’s golden locks up and in place.

1980’s trend, 21^st century come-back

With its ultimate popularity peak in the 1980’s and early ‘90s, and even with the ever-changing fashion trends, the scrunchie has been a hair accessory that has rotated in and out of the fashion spotlight. And even with its lowbrow status as a fashion accessory the scrunchie has yet to be forgotten.